This is the city: Los Angeles, California. I work here. I'm an ex-mayor. Los Angeles is a magnet for people from all over the world. Some of them run for public office. Inevitably some of them stray from the golden rule and rule for those that have the gold. That's when I go to work. My name is Yorty. I'm a dead pol.

Thursday, July 29, 2010

Los Angeles Politics Hotsheet for Thursday

The City of LA is offering a $50,000 reward for information in this past weekend's slaying death of 34 year old bride-to-be Chere Osmanhodzic. Chere's body was found inside her burned out Valley Village home after firefighters extinguished a suspicious blaze that may have been set to destroy evidence of the murder. So much anguish in Valley Village over this one.

Michael LoGrande has been big news all week after being selected as the new Planning Director to replace the departing Gail Goldberg. Ron Kaye has an excerpt from a Planning Report story by Michael's former boss. Ouch!

In case you haven't heard, the US Constitution is safe (for now) after a federal judge halted implementation of many key elements of Arizona's controversial SB1070 law. Pandering AZ Republican Gov Jan Brewer, says she will appeal the ruling that basically shreds the "Show Me Your Papers "law.

The former Sunland-Tujunga resident and Verdugo Hills High School graduate, Governor Jan Brewer, wastes no time after the ruling and tries to turn lemons into lemonade by immediately begging for money.

She may well need that money for legal fees, as Phoenix station KPHO is running a story about ties between Gov. Brewer and a Private Prisons Company;

"In the meantime, a CBS 5 News investigation revealed that there is one business that could profit from the implementation of SB 1070 and similar immigration measures. The private prison industry houses illegal immigrant detainees for the federal government. Those companies could gain contracts with state and local agencies to house illegal immigrants arrested for state violations.Corrections Corporation of America, or CCA, holds the federal contract to house detainees in Arizona. The company bills $11 million per month. CBS 5 Investigates learned that two of Brewer’s top advisers have connections to CCA. Paul Senseman is the governor’s deputy chief of staff. He is also a former lobbyist for CCA. His wife is listed as a current lobbyist for the company. Chuck Coughlin is one of the governor’s policy advisers and her campaign chairman. Coughlin’s company, HighGround Public Affairs Consultants, currently lobbies for CCA."

And finally, I'd like to welcome an old friend, Lanny Clifford, who just read Mayor Sam for the first time yesterday. Lanny is an Ice Road trucker on a year long assignment in North Dakota. He's made us his homepage and threatens to pipe in with his opinions when he's not risking his neck delivering goods for the man.

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Breaking: Judge Blocks "Show Me Your Papers" segment of SB1070 law.

- Failing to carry registration papers a crime.- Requiring law enforcement to check immigration status while enforcing other laws.- Illegal for undocumented workers to solicit employment in public places.

When I first saw GPW I didn't get it. Now I do. I don't think there is a more unique blog in the City in that you have taken what is seemingly a very local mission and applied it Citywide in a very pleasurable fashion.

GPW dovetails nicely with Mayor Sam, has had our back on more than one occasion, and provides some equilibrium to our dysfunction. I know that if Mayor Sam ever went away, I would be less worried as long as GPW is here.

Congratulations to Petrafried in the City, Mulholland Terrace and the whole GPW team!

The Modesto Bee asks "What is the cost of civic disengagement?" In light of the controversy in the City of Bell where public officials under the radar raised taxes and grossly increased the compensation of some officials. It wasn't until the issue hit the news cycle did citizens rise up with pitchforks in hand and most of the bums were thrown out. When will people in Los Angeles wake up to find similar things are happening in their town but on an even grander scale?

Sunday, July 25, 2010

Parking is a huge problem in many parts of Los Angeles (including here in the NoHo Arts District where it's nearly impossible to park) and as more and more bodies come here it will become an even bigger challenge. At the same time goofy pols like former Clowncilman Mike Woo want developers to offer less parking thinking that will somehow solve the problem.

"I want to create a parking crisis that will force people out of their cars.”

Mike Woo

Perhaps we can look to the Europeans for an answer. Wohr Parking Systems has developed automatic parking systems (video) that shelve many more cars in a space than typical structures can. Such systems are in use around historic buildings where there is no room for parking lots.

We welcome you to join members of the Los Angeles Fire Departmentand their families at the nation's premier (and yes, free!) public safety helicopter air show from 9 AM to 4 PM on Saturday, July 24, 2010 in Los Angeles.

The American Heroes Air Show is a family event at the Hansen Dam Recreation and Sports Complex in the northeast San Fernando Valley

And yes, you heard correctly - admission & parking are FREE!

Guests of all ages will get an up-close look at helicopters from local, regional, state and federal public safety and military units with static displays, flight demonstrations and mission briefings. Make sure to bring a camera!

For complete information, including a map with directions to the event site, please visit:

Now that it's publicthe Bell City Council wants three overpaid bureaucrats to resign. The officials include Chief Administrative Officer Robert Rizzo, who earns $787,637 a year, Assistant City Manager Angela Spaccia, who makes $376,288 a year, and Police Chief Randy Adams, whose annual salary of $457,000 is 50 percent more than that of Los Angeles Police Chief Charlie Beck.

Why? The lack of advertizing revenue makes it difficult to sustain a newspaper in these tough economic times.

.... and some editorial thoughts, "Citizen Jerry" will surely be miss as he makes his rounds through the concrete and steel canyons of Downtown LA. The many local heroes, whether they are the diverse workforce, activists, residents and politicos, will miss Citizen Jerry's jaunts in search of stories, exposes and testimonies on the evolving Downtown scene. We want to devote some space here to Jerry's closing retrospect on his Garment and Citizen endeavors. Excerpts....

I’d still tell everyone’s truth—not just this niche or that demographic group. I’d keep striving to tell the stories of the entire community, and to explain how and why this segment or demographic group matters to the others.

I’d continue to acknowledge the fact that readers are smart.

I’d keep assuming that immigrants are part of our American culture—whether they’ve obtained citizenship or remain uncertain about taking that step.

I’d still speak truth to power in plain language on behalf of the community.

I’d still keep a civil tone in all matters.

There are many more things I would do again, because the Garment & Citizen earned some great victories. Our coverage has mattered. We saved taxpayers money. We gave credit where due to the mothers and fathers, sons and daughters, and workers and business owners who make our city work. We added valuable insights, criticisms and plaudits to the public debate.

The Garment & Citizen served with honor and distinct style. We developed a voice that reached our readers and earned a strong and unique connection with their lives. We reached rich, poor, working-class and middle-class individuals and families. We reached across ethnic and racial and religious lines. We reached them all—and called them a community.

The Garment & Citizen will disappear, but the community shall remain.

It’s now up to others to serve this community with the comprehension, courage, and clarity that’s called for by the guarantee of freedom of the press that we enjoy under the 1st Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

The Garment & Citizen has demonstrated that it can be done. Our fate also shows that it could be done better.

I’ll look upon the next effort with interest.

Respectfully,

Jerry Sullivan

Blogger note via the Editor: This column will be submitted into the Congressional Record by 34th District U.S. Representative Lucille Roybal-Allard. A reading of this column by Sullivan is scheduled for the radio show “Off-Ramp” on 89.3-KPCC, which will air at 12 noon (Pacific) on Saturday, July 24, and again at 7 p.m. (Pacific) on Sunday, July 25.

Closing note to Jerry, wonder if "Coca Puffs" will have any comments? ; )

Dopey Los Angles City Clowncil Members found yet another potential landmine in it's goofy boycott of Arizona's SB1070: They would have to end SuperShuttle service at LAX because the popular airport transport service has an office in Arizona. The Council voted for now to ignore that fact and let the shuttles run. Oh and continue to pay the city over a million dollars in fees.

Poor Matt Szabo! The Deputy Mayor and former Mayoral spokeshole has been doing the bidding of the Mayor for a very long time. In fact we've been told that Szabo doesn't break wind without first checking with the Mayor and then getting an all clear from Mike Trujillo. But we digress. We've been worried about Szabo's condition having worked for Villaraigosa for several years. Now poor Matt got upbraided by Jan Perry in Clowncil Tuesday when he was all tongue tied over his presence at a DWP meeting. More from Mulholland Terrace.

If you thought Jan Perry giving Matt Szabo a "what for" in chambers Tuesday was fun, our very favorite spokes-hole, Jeremy Oberstein of Paul Krekorian's office tweeted Council Member Dennis Zine and former DWP GM David "The Green Cowboy" Freeman's dialogue from a comical tragedy known "Freeman and the Zine."

We all know how the Mayor has managed to solve so many problems in Los Angeles that he has the bandwidth to add one more duty to his job description, that is the ability to perform weddings. Currently California law only allows Mayors to perform weddings if temporarily deputized by the County Clerk. A bill brought by San Francisco Assemblymember Fiona Ma would have given Villaraiogsa such power but alas it was vetoed by Governor Schwarzenegger. His reasoning? The law only extended to charter city mayors and not all of California's mayors and gosh darn it we want any mayor in California to have the right to goof off right?

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

In fact, and for the record, Box did categorically deny that he is or has ever been a Scientologist. He does not practice any religion. When I asked him if he had any religious affiliation at all, that was when he told me that he was probably still a registered Nazarene--the faith of his parents. My quote is 100% accurate, and the problem Phil has with the word "probably" is all Phil's and certainly was not mine. It seemed silly to me after such a categorical denial of an accusation that has only been made by Phil Jennerjahn and nobody else to include any further discussion at this time.

As for me lobbing Stephen Box softballs, I did not. I asked him intricate questions about people in the city. I asked him if he had heard of so-and-so and so-and-so, people I believe contribute in a meaningful way to city life (for instance, he told me he didn't know who Bill Delvac was).

If I could figure out what Phil Jennerjahn is running for this week I'd probably interview him again too.

"Parque Esqueleto" seeks Chairmanship of LA Ethics Commission **

"Gosh durnit!! My plans leaked again"

[Had to delete the original - too many Spot-isms; try, try again]

After 10 years with the same person at the helm, the City's Ethics Commission now has to -- by law -- find a replacement for its Executive Director, and in classic L.A. fashion, has opened up a cattle call to cast this important supporting actor position, by this coming November.

It's high time for that. Not that Lee Ann Pelham has done a bad job, but the main ethics cop for a major City like L.A. deserves better than someone whose only real claim to fame was having a badly scripted move remake starring Denzel and Travolta, named after her.

The time has past where the good people of the City of Los Angeles, and their elected officials (not generally "good" people), should have to put up with the antics of this commission, and that's why today -- I am letting it be known that I will, myself, seek the Executive Director of Ethics position for L.A.

This isn't an elected or appointed position (although mayor & Council appointees do the hiring, so. . .) but that doesn't mean you can't all help me "win" that position.

Pester your favorite Ethics Commissioner, bribe them if you have to (hell, who's going to report THEM), but whatever you do, make sure I'm on the short list for that job, if you care anything about the abuse of "ethics" in the City, and want make sure it continues -- only with more precision and flare.

There will be NO foot-dragging such as some have suggested is happening with the Mayor's "Ticketgate" once I'm the Executive Director of City Ethics, for the simple reason that I will, (for budgetary reasons, of course), place a moratorium on investigating public officials -- especially if they're former clients of mine. Really, when was the last time the "fines" levied even made a dent in the cost of the investigation?

Instead, Ethics oversight will ONLY be used to beat down underfunded challengers of my friends and clients -- ridding us MUCH sooner in the process of those who just waste all of our time thinking they can "win" over incumbents.

(Let's get real. The little self-nominated "Davids" who keep popping up are pretty tiresome, don't you think. Goliaths are a HELL of a lot more fun to party with and accompany on junkets.)

If candidates can receive matching funds from the taxpayers for simply running for office, I say cut out the annoying middlemen, and just use the City's Ethics offices to assassinate the character of wanna-bes directly.

We can also reduce the department's budget by up to 80 percent, and get rid of all those troublesome starry-eyed employees who originally joined to help "clean up" City Government. Jeez, that's like thinking you can "rehab" Lindsay Lohan.

Oh, and I plan to have an honest and transparent regime. For that reason, the slogan of the operation will be changed to a more accurate (and more easily achievable), "Perverting the Public Trust.

"I'm also doing this to get the jump on and Wacko Walter and P. Jennerjahn, either of which would just plain WALLOW in the position's nearly $200,000 annual salary, wasting it on things like room and board. I can put it to much better use. I'm already RICH. I'll use it for pure luxuries, like vacating streets near my home, thus helping the local economy even more.

Cut and Paste Briefs on the Los Angeles Political Scene for Tuesday

"I hope this Campaign Kitty grows into something big"

Dare I say that Mayor Antonio Parkervillar is still a political role model?

After all, the self-proclaimed "Pothole King" has become the "Freeloading Emperor of Spring Street". Thus, why should we deny the "Elite 15 within the Horseshoe", their chance at showcasing creativity in circumventing ethics rules?

On the theme of circumventing ethics guidelines, we present Sixth District City Councilman Tony Cardenas. Cardenas, who currently is the Chairperson of the Board of Referred Powers, the committee that votes on issues where conflict of interest questions, preclude normal committee oversight. Is himself playing loose with ethical rules.

The LA Weekly is reporting that Cardenas, is or has as of this moment, kicked off his re-election campaign with a morning get together at El Paseo Inn, a eatery owned by Camacho Inc. If there was such a thing as a "politically-connected eatery", then Camacho Inc. would be the "five-star recipient".

By now, Cardenas has finish glad-handy those who pay for the access and is immerse with the business of deciding, with his four other board members, who will get the lucrative contracts to serve food to travelers at LAX. And guess which "politically-connected eatery" wants the right to serve their cuisine to hungry travelers? CAMACHO INC.

We should note that Cardenas will face a challenge for re-election from the Past President of the Van Nuys Neighborhood Council James Cordara, who announced his intentions via his Facebook Page.

..... as for Cardenas, in the theme of his creative and brazen disregard for ethical standards, we propose changing the name of the Board of Referred Powers to the "Board of Creative Ethical Skirting".

He (Kaye) also lashed out at Trujillo as a paid agent of the City Hall political machine, calling the accusations "guilt-by-association" and "McCarthyite." Kaye noted the title of the Trujillo letter: Does "Clean Sweep" mean no more Latinos in Los Angeles?

"Does he suspect genocide, mass deportation? The real question is, how can someone who spews smears like that question someone's integrity and decency?" Kaye asked.

** Then we have this response to Trujillo's Manifesto.

Many of us who attended the LA Clean Sweep on Saturday were told Mike Trujillo is the campaign manager for the re election bid of Councilman Huizar. There were at least 3 Latino candidates who attended Saturday. Two are going after Huizar. There were more then 25 Latinos in the audience. There are many Latinos citywide who support Arizona and SB 1070. Does that mean we are racist? No it means we want immigration reform that is long over due. Trujillo wanted to deflect from the success of LA Clean Sweep but all he's doing is showing people his desperation for his candidate. I guess we can make another loss to his political consulting......... which according to Michael, will not happen in CD 14.

Phil Jennerjahn continues to claim he intends to run for City Council in the 4th District (Tom LaBonge) despite the fact that several other candidates are running or considering running, each of whom already have bases of support across the City. Some of them also bring significant resources to the table.

Phil has no base of support and no resources other than a part time income as a tour guide. A handful of pot activists may be on board but it takes an army to come even close to winning a Council race. Ask Ty Vahedi or Paul Krekorian.

I quizzed Phil on Facebook Monday given his likelihood of not winning and his candidacy only serving as a distraction to someone who can actually beat Tom LaBonge would he be willing to sacrifice his desires for the good of the city.

Monday, July 19, 2010

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa does little work as mayor, spending his time bedding female reporters and scamming free Laker tickets. The City of Bell - one of the poorest in LA County - pays it's officials Wall Street salaries. The Governor and State Legislature have driven the state into it's worst fiscal crisis ever. Approval ratings for local officials are in the toilet. Yet, as noted by Bob Stern of the Center for Governmental Studies still "incumbents are getting elected." And who are the dum dums?

Ethics Commissioner Marlene Canter is upset. "I took this seat to be relevant," Canter told the Daily News while accusing Commission staff of keeping the members in the dark on their investigation of Ticketgate. "Ever since I've been here, I feel as if I've been kept in the dark," Canter said.

Speaking of the Mayor over the weekend he broke his elbow while bicycling. The Mayor was riding on Venice Blvd when a taxi cut in front of him causing him to hit the pavement. Many bicycle activists are saying perhaps the Mayor will now be more sympathetic to their cause. Perhaps as well the Mayor will realize how wreckless taxi operators drive lately. I've seen many around town speeding and often cut in front of other cars.

This is all speculation, but some would say that is priority # 1 for a political blog like Mayor Sam.

According to local political sources, Campaign Consultant and Mayor Antonio Parkervillar crony Michael Trujillo, may have brought upon himself and a possible future political client, a political firestorm, after his racially-tinged comments yesterday, directed at former Mayoral Candidate Walter Moore and Ron Kaye's "Clean Sweep LA Campaign.

But while Trujillo may be basking in the political spotlight once again, he should remember that old cliche, "be careful what you ask for". Relating that cliche to Trujillo's most recent handy work, may cost him big time...... and money.

Huizar recently transported Aguilar, staff and students, to help dedicate the second stage of the Ascot Hills Passive Park Project. For those who don't remember what Marcos said, we reprint them below.

TCLA: Finally, what do you see as the legacy of the Brown decision?

MA: If Brown was just about letting Black people into a White school, well we don’t care about that anymore. We don’t necessarily want to go to White schools. What we want to do is teach ourselves, teach our children the way we have of teaching. We don’t want to drink from a White water fountain, we have our own wells and our natural reservoirs and our way of collecting rain in our aqueducts. We don’t need a White water fountain. So the whole issue of segregation and the whole issue of the Civil Rights Movement is all within the box of White culture and White supremacy. We should not still be fighting for what they have. We are not interested in what they have because we have so much more and because the world is so much larger. And ultimately the White way, the American way, the neo liberal, capitalist way of life will eventually lead to our own destruction. And so it isn’t about an argument of joining neo liberalism, it’s about us being able, as human beings, to surpass the barrier.

Questions here Trujillo are these. In your haste to promote one self, did you severely damage a client/ potential client, by forcing these past issues, related to racism, to be revisited? Did you cause those who were non-committal in the 2011 election, to distance themselves from Huizar, over your racist connotations, directed towards Clean Sweep LA supporters?

Or maybe in the words of "Parque Esqueleto", this is all part of the plan to ward off the challenge of Rudy Martinez?

Very typical. Common SG&A tactics. As they did in the 43rd race they have learned to gin up "progressive" bloggers to fight opponents SG&A can't beat on the merits by tossing around the racist and homophobe cards.

Trujillo and SG&A will be working to save the quite troubled Jose Huizar; they are scared to death of opponent Rudy Martinez.

They can't call Martinez, a Mexican, anti-Latino. So perhaps he hates "teh gheys." Maybe, just maybe, Trujillo will exercise the nuclear option and call Martinez a pocho.

Thus, you have a glimpse of the inner Trujillo. And you wonder why this guy can't win a campaign? That is unless you are terminally ill.

Westside White Guy asserts his own Angloness over an even more Anglo guy, Clean Sweeper Walter Moore.

Times digital scribes found the opportunity to break a big story Saturday night. The Mayor broke his elbow riding his bike after a local jitney stopped short causing Villaraigosa to go airborne. Perfect timing for bicycle activist and billy goat Council candidate Stephen Box.

You might not know the name but you should recognize the face. Character actor James Gammon died at the age of 70 Friday. Known for television series such as Nash Bridges and movies such as Urban Cowboy Gammon was also a recurring component in many Sam Shephard plays. Shephard as a playwright has a seeming inability to find new locales and fresh language for his dismay at America's downward trajectory. However he once played banjo on Patti Smith's cover of Nirvana's song, "Smells Like Teen Spirit"

Pasty white and even pastier white talkradio ringmasters will alight from their perches: Republican Assemblyman Mike Villines is finally named the winner in the scary party's nomination for State Insurance Commissioner. Villines took the full brunt of the conservative agitprop talkshows when he broke with a GOP pledge 0f no new taxes.

Peach ice cream is the story of the day at LAist. In true Westside myopic fashion of course the best servings are to be found near Caruso's Art Deco Wonderland at Mr. Gilmore's Farmers Market. Nothing however when compared to the que rico paletas at Danny's Tacos on Grand Avenue; something that the más blanca que el blanco bocas at LAist have not likely ever experienced.

(Editors note: In case you haven't figured it out most of this post is parody. Touche.)

BREAKING NEWS!! Mayor Villaraigosa breaks elbow in cycling accident

The mayor was riding in the bicycle lane on Venice Boulevard in Mid-City at about 6:50 p.m. when a taxi abruptly pulled in front of him. The mayor hit his brakes and fell off the bike.

He was transported to Ronald Reagan/UCLA Medical Center, where he was treated for the broken bone.By 10 p.m. he had been released and was resting comfortably at Getty House, the mayor's official residence.

More on this story as information becomes available.Scott Johnson in CD 14

Great, diverse turnout today at North Hollywood's Mayflower Club for the Clean Sweep LA Coalition. Clean Sweep LA is the brainchild of former Daily News Editor Ron Kaye and a diverse group of Los Angeles activists, who want to restore ethics to the dysfunctional, City of Los Angeles political culture.

In addition to the speakers pictured above, the likes of former Mayoral Candidate Walter Moore, Laborers Union Leader Gerardo Almeida and Campaign Consultant John Thomas, took time at microphone, to tout the virtues of a diverse coalition, intent to restore ethics to 200 Spring Street.

It should be notice here, that Trujillo is speculated to be the consultant for CD 14 Councilman Jose Huizar's Re-election Campaign. This should cause consternation to the numerous CD 14 activists in attendence today. After all, irresponcible allegations of racism, will not go over well.

Why Clean Sweep Must Dump Walter Moore

You would be hard pressed to find a voter in Los Angeles that would not like to see the goals of the LA Clean Sweep Campaign achieved. One goal in particular stands out; "Respect for Everyone".

Respect for Everyone...

Unfortunately, LA Clean Sweep will face some major obstacles in their appeal to the public as long as it allows the intolerance and prejudice of Walter Moore to be associated with this promising grassroots endeavor.

Here's the wisdom of Walter from his Mayoral Campaign;

Inexplicably, Mr. Moore sits on the board of directors for the Clean Sweep Political Action Committee.

Want yet another way to buy some influence with the Mayor? Now you can donate to his TV anchor girlfriend Lu Parker's "charity" which doesn't seem to be doing anything innovative or different with it's most recent achievement being the painting of the lobby of animal shelter. Kathy Cheng of California Common Cause told the LA Times that "vigilance is needed with such charities to make sure they are not a back channel way for special interests to find special access to electeds that regular constituents don’t have." According to Parker her "The Lu Parker Project" is an "outlet to express love and compassion." I thought that was the Mayor's Lu Parker Project.

As the City Council is considering an elected DWP Ratepayer Advocate Jack Humphreville has a suggestion. Writing in CityWatch the presumptive CD4 challenger suggests the Council hire a consultant who can clearly define the role of the position.

Much has been written about the sweetheart giveaway the City has in store for billionaire Eli Broad to build a memorial to himself downtown (also called an art museum). But now another organization has come forward to lay claim to the Grand Avenue parcel that Broad has been salivating for. The Shen Yun Performing Arts Organization is vying to build a 3000 seat theatre and arts training center. However they can't seem to get a fair shake from the CRA or City Council who has the fix in for the politically connected Broad. Incredibly the CRA staff told the Chinese organization that they would be better off at one of several sites in Chinatown. Hmmm, is this 1953?

"...governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. That whenever any form of government becomes destructive to these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new government..."

The Declaration of Independence

More than 15 years ago I decided to get involved in my community to make it a better place. It became a hodgepodge of activities starting with the Coro Neighborhood Leaders program, training with the Local Initiatives Support Corporation, starting a community economic development organization, getting involved with the Chamber of Commerce, starting the Jaycees chapter in North Hollywood and eventually winding up as that organization's State President.

Through all that time I learned a lot.

It didn't take long for me to figure out that these "great" politicians I used to admire turned out to be a bunch of slugs. If they weren't fradulent, they were incompetent. I found out that most employees of government officials or agencies charged to help our community were more concerned with self-preservation and avoid any work that might be "too hard." Many of them not only didn't live in our community, they didn't even live in our city!

I found a system horribly broken and that most didn't care. Los Angeles was such a mess that it seemed it could not be untangled. Indeed my friend Stu remarked to me "the city's best days are behind it."

However as time went on I saw little pockets of hope here and there. Neighbors who banded together to preserve what they felt their community should be. Organizations who worked hard to bring some change even if it was small. In some cases I might have completely disagreed with the objectives of these groups but I had to, even if grudgingly, admire their tenacity.

I found myself supporting a string of grass roots and sometime gadfly candidates with a naive hope that right could make might. And I was foolishly shocked when these good people often came within miles of beating the entrenched, corrupt incumbents or political machine handpicked "newcomers." I soon became a critic of most of those "alternative" candidates finding many of them were just as self-serving as the big names they seeked to knock out.

In the meantime an avuncular figure was toiling in the woods, an accidental anarchist or reluctant rabblerouser who knew something was wrong, that something had to be done, but was also realistic that revolution had to be methodical. That was former Daily News editor Ron Kaye.

Over time and maybe some fumbles here and there Kaye pulled together a diverse collection of folks from around Los Angeles. Most of them were pissed. Few of them were political experts. Still they gathered consistently, working hard, meeting in community centers and the back room of a Dennys, giving their time, their money and their dreams to an effort to perhaps, finally, change Los Angeles.

The Clean Sweep Campaign launches tomorrow at a meeting house in North Hollywood. The effort will draw all types. But Kaye and his followers including veterans of community service such as David Hernandez, Nina Royal, Jack Humphreville and others have methodically crafted a program, not around ideology or narrow issues, but behind guiding principles that seek to fundamentally change the way Los Angeles government does business. They have developed resources, processes and plans to find, develop, train and fund solid candidates for office in Los Angeles. The effort has attracted the attention of media figures such as radio talk show host Kevin James who is putting his microphone behind the cause. Professional political consultants are donating their time. Expert fundraisers are joining to raise the cash necessary to bootstrap grassroots campaign. The effort may not be pretty. It will still be rag tag. But there's gas in the engine and the car is ready to run all the laps.

Back during the LA Riots in 1992 actor Edward James Olmos grabbed a push broom and walked alone into the streets and just started cleaning up the mess. No pointing fingers, no waiting for anyone else, just doing what he thought he could do to help.

Los Angeles, it's time to once again grab a broom.

The Clean Sweep Movement Launch Party is this Saturday, July 17th from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Mayflower Club, 11110 Victory Blvd in North Hollywood. There is a $20 donation at the door; refreshments will be served.

Making the case that LA City government is indeed riddled with fraud, waste and abuse is Ron Kaye's "Clean Sweep" campaign which kicks off Saturday in North Hollywood (yay!). Clean Sweep, birthed out of the Saving LA Project seeks to identify, train and support candidates for next year's City Council to boot entrenched incumebents and finally turn around the way LA does business. Kaye, the movement's spiritual leader, says "We need new leaders that will bring us together and work for the common good."

If there is a current incumbent that Clean Sweep might want to consider supporting that would be Council Member Paul Krekorian who received a good six month "report card" from the Daily News. So far Krekorian has impressed his constituents through careful attention to their issues and by doing things like voting to oppose LA's silly lawsuit against Arizona, fighting DWP rate increases, advocating against a truck driving school in Lopez Canyon and significantly reducing his Council office expenses compared to other members. In the meantime blogger/gadfly Phil Jennerjahn finally jumps the shark in seeking to boot Krekorian whom Jennerjahn says - despite everything I just told you - is a "budget destroying socialist (and probably a freedom hating liberal and dangerous enemy of free speech). Jennerjahn seems to think his only hope is to recruit former candidate Augusto Bisani to challenge Krekorian in March. It doesn't get more fun that that folks.

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Outtakes from CD 14 Special Report:CD 14 Chief of Staff Ana Cubas responds to CLARTS Fund request after 90+ Business Days

City Councilman Jose Huizar Chief of Staff Ana Cubas

Nice to know that Councilman Jose Huizar has delegated his Chief of Staff Ana Cubas, the task of responding to The Voice Newspaper's long ago Public Records request for information pertaining to the CD 14 CLARTS Amenities Fund. Below is the email that Cubas recently send to Carlos Morales, some 90+ business days after her February 25, 2010 email.

Another consideration in this sudden response by Cubas, could be to preempt any political capital that CD 14 Candidate Rudy Martinez could get out of this controversy. CD 14 observers were noting that Martinez and former CD 14 Councilman Nick Pacheco, were seen walking and talking the crowd together at the "Third of July" festivities in El Sereno.

Below is Cubas email with comments in bold.

From: Ana Cubas

Date: Mon, Jul 12, 2010 at 5:01 PM

Subject: Re: CLARTS FUNDS

To: Carlos Morales

Dear Carlos:
I would like to respond to your inquiry regarding CLARTS. (after 90+ days?)

As you may be aware, the use of CLARTS funds must be approved by the Los Angeles City Council via an official action such as a motion. (no duh?)

Therefore, it is the Office of the City Clerk that maintains all records of any spending related to CLARTS. (what, not enough staffers to maintain the files?)

We suggest that you contact them directly for this information. The City Clerk maintains these types of files for all City Councilmembers. ( and you don't keep updated documents on file?)

In our office, we rely on online resources available through the City Clerk's Office as our records for any motions introduced by Councilmember Huizar and for any CLARTS-related Council actions. (have you ever used the "print button" on your computer?)

We can produce these records for you at a cost of 10 cents per page. Or, you may view and print out free of charge copies of all actions related to CLARTS on the City Council File Management System (CFMS) website(How come you couldn't state that on Febuary 25, 2010?)

There is a simple search function on the CFMS that will allow you to quickly and easily search for any City Council motion involving CLARTS funding. All of the motions are downloadable as PDF’s from that site. (more waste of verbiage from Cubas)

Please contact me if you would like for us to produce paper copies for you. ( I think we did some 90+ business days ago)

Sincerely,-

Ana E. Cubas, Chief of Staff Councilmember Jose Huizar, 14th District

200 North Spring St., Room 465Los Angeles, CA 90012

213-473-7014 Phone

213-847-0680 Fax

213-407-5502 Cell (please call Cubas and ask what is so hard about producing Public Records?)

I am working on an article regarding the CLARTS FUNDS.
I want to make sure the article is accurate and I need this information.
Please provide me a list of expenses for the CLARTS FUNDS for the past 5 YEARS.
I am also requesting all city council motions that has any modifications for the usage of the CLARTS FUNDS.
Please provide the information by FRIDAY FEBRUARY 26th as we are working on a dead line.
Please advise.
Carlos Morales Publisher & Editor THE VOICE NEWSPAPER

THE STONEWALLING CONTINUES...............

Your thoughts..............

Scott Johnson in CD 14

** The "Mulholland Collectivist" at the Griffith Park Wayist, take "liberties" on this post.